Car accidents are often life-altering traumatic events that sometimes leave victims with crippling injuries. Unfortunately, the costs of a car accident are another concern for drivers; you’ll need to pay medical bills for injuries, afford vehicle repairs, and you might have missed time from work or lose your income entirely due to physical injuries.
So, if you’ve been involved in a road accident that’s left you injured, you’re probably wondering how you can cover these costs.
Fortunately, you can claim compensation from your auto insurance company or that of the responsible driver. And we’ve listed some valuable tips to help you get the most out of your claim.
Gather Evidence
From the moment the accident takes place, you’ll need to start gathering evidence. The evidence you will need includes accident scene photographs, witness statements, driver information, proof of injuries, and medical records.
Seek Medical Attention
Before you can even get started comparing the costs of legal representation, you’ll need to seek medical attention. Even if you don’t notice any injuries right off the bat, medical treatment is still essential. Unfortunately, hidden injuries like whiplash can take some time to develop noticeable symptoms.
Once you have received medical treatment, it’s also important to prioritize your physical recovery and conform to your doctor’s treatment recommendations. Neglecting medical treatments and follow-up appointments will put your claim in jeopardy.
Consult An Attorney
Even if you are covered by reliable auto insurance, it’s still best to follow the guidance of an expert personal injury attorney in NYC that specializes in car accident claims.
Hiring a lawyer is the best way to get an accurate estimation of the damages that you can claim by calculating current and future medical bills and all the other costs that stem from the accident.
Be Willing To Negotiate
The biggest and most common mistake that car accident victims make when claiming compensation is accepting the first settlement offer. It’s a well-known fact that insurance companies will cough up a frugal settlement offer initially simply because they’re hoping you’ll accept the offer and they can save.
Instead of rushing the process along and settling for less, have your attorney counter the settlement offer and negotiate a higher amount. Even if it takes a while longer to reach a fair settlement amount, it’s best not to settle too soon.
Stay Off Social Media
Another common mistake accident victims make is positing potentially incriminating things on social media during a legal claim process. This mistake is relevant across claim categories, and it’s most common with personal injuries that stem from defective products.
It’s wise to rather stay off social media while you are claiming compensation to avoid the unfortunate instance in which your post puts your claim in jeopardy.
Aside from the costs of being involved in a car accident, these experiences are also often devastating and traumatizing. As a result, it’s also important to prioritize your mental well-being after an accident. In some cases, professional therapy can be beneficial to accident victims suffering stress, anxiety, and even PTSD after a collision.
